Detours...

There comes a time we must face the fact the the 5......10 year detours must come to an end. At least, if we're committed to living the life we're intended. My journey west was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and it is unquestionable that it saved my life. But the 5...10 year detour has to come to an end. It's time to take responsibility. What a crazy, wild, precious ride this is.

Studio!

I'm working on a new album.....heading to the studio in a couple of hours to record some vocals> Send positive vibes. living the dream, living the dream, living the dream. Whee!

The Diary of Anne Frank

I teach part time at Park City High School: Theatre. I'm directing ten very talented students in, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, (Kesselman adaptation).

I've been doing a lot of research on the family and came across this picture of Anne (correctly pronounced Ah-ne).

I love this photo of her (photo credit to Fonds, Bazel and Stitchting, Amsterdam).

She looks so sweet. She had so much life in her. How lucky we are to have her diary to help us remember such an extraordinary young lady and such a tragic time in our world's history.

How tragic that our only memory of her is her diary.

time flies...

I can't believe it's March 7 already...and soon to be March 8. The past two weeks have been an absolute whirlwind. The life of a struggling artist, I guess. I'm working on my teaching certification (the time-commitment is absolutely ridiculous.) gigging, directing four shows, running a non-profit, and teaching three classes right now. I'm also trying to maintain a wonderful relationship. Oh yes, I'm also trying to maintain my sanity....so I decided to run the half-marathon in April. I'm tired. I'm so freaking tired. But for some reason, I subject myself to this lifestyle. wow. this is a very narcissistic blog.

The next model for rossi classics

My sister keeps asking me to post pics of Fred. So here you go, Marilyn. This is Fred. It was his first day of cross country skiing. He's an animal downhill skiing, but he learned today that classic is VERRRRRY DIFFERENT. (Notice, the skis are OFF). He did a great job though.

I'll never forget my first time classic skiing. I think I fell like 3,000 times. He fell none. Way to go, stud.

One of the many reasons I live in Utah

Just got home from my gig and anticipating tomorrow. A long day of cross country skiing in the Uintas. I can't wait. This, by the way, is where I'll be skiing. This is a photo I found on www.davidwhittenphoto.com. He has quite a few photos on his site that are worth checking out. Life...it's a beautiful thing.

Just a small example of my upbringing

Just spent a few days in Edwardsville with the fam. I have a 7:50 am flight. The plan was to leave for the airport about 5:45 am--alarm was set to go off at 5:00.

So I'm in the middle of this incredibly vivid, amazing dream when I hear, "Nickie" "NIIIIIIIICKIE". My eyes open. My mother is standing over me. Have I regressed to my freshman year of high school???? "It's 4:45." Your point, woman???? "I thought you wanted to leave by 5?"

I start to question her obssessive-compulsive, neurotic, controlling behavior, but I know there's not point in it.

Until I was twenty, I actually believed that if we didn't get to the airport at least two hours prior to departure, we were doomed. My mother convinced us that this was the ONLY way to fly...ever. And I BELIEVED HER!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can't even begin to know the liberation I felt when I discovered truth....and the luxury of flying solo.

Anyway, mom walks out of my room--leaving the bedroom door open and the hall light ON! She knew exactly what she was doing. She was winning. There was no hope of going back to that amazingly vivid dream (with a very hot man, by the way), so I gave up. My sister and I learned a long time ago that when you're in Carol's house, you kind of get trapped in Carol's rules. I've been at this airport since 5:50 waiting for my flight. It's 6:10 in the morning, by the way....for the love of God.

Looking at this picture makes it all better though, because this is what I'm going back to. Ah, freedom. Did I mention I love life? It's a beautful thing :)